Are There Advantages of Dental Insurance?
A common question patients have is whether dental insurance is worth the associated cost. Dental insurance can be easy to ignore or put off until patients have a cavity or another oral health issue. The cost of dental care will greatly depend on whether the patient has dental insurance. The cost for services can also drastically vary based on the individual plan. Dental insurance plans have a wide range of coverage, from simple plans that include preventative care to more comprehensive plans with increased coverage. Below is a summary of the advantages of dental insurance.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance provides patients with a great deal of value based on their specific needs. Patients may be able to get by without dental insurance, but this choice involves a certain amount of risk. In general, patients benefit from having dental insurance.
While patients may not need full coverage from a comprehensive dental insurance plan, they will undoubtedly still benefit from having dental insurance. One advantage of dental insurance is that it helps patients maintain good oral health. When a patient does not have dental insurance, they often ignore issues and avoid routine visits because of the cost. Patients who do not visit the dentist regularly and ignore problems often end up with serious and costly issues. Untreated issues can quickly progress and even result in tooth loss.
Advantages
Car insurance and homeowners insurance exist to help when something bad happens, such as a fire or natural disaster. Dental insurance is different because it exists to help ensure patients do not experience bad things.
Coverage
Patients with dental insurance will be expected to pay a monthly premium. The specifics of the plan will vary, but in general, plans cover a portion of dental health costs. Dental plans are offered by various providers, including UnitedHealthcare and others. In most cases, a dental insurance plan will cover all or a portion of the cost associated with preventive care. This typically includes things such as examinations, x-rays, and professional cleanings. The plan may also provide coverage for additional services such as a filling or fluoride treatment.
Value
Patients who are diligent in obtaining preventive oral care often find a great deal of value in dental insurance. In the event that any additional treatment is necessary, the high cost of services quickly demonstrates the value of coverage. To understand the value of dental insurance, it is helpful to be familiar with the cost of routine services. The cost for a routine checkup can range from $80-$400. In comparison, the cost for a filling can range from $200-$500. These costs add up quickly. While it is an investment to purchase dental insurance, it pays off over time.
Prevention
Dental insurance works to help patients maintain good oral health and prevent issues. Those without dental insurance are less likely to visit the dentist for routine cleaning and examination. Regular visits to the dentist are vital for maintaining good oral health. These dental visits also aid in detecting issues. Maintaining good oral health helps prevent serious issues, which can result in pain and costly treatments.
In many cases, a patient’s employer will offer dental insurance as part of their benefits package. Patients are also able to purchase a plan from a provider such as UnitedHealthcare.
Call the office to discuss how we can help you maintain your oral health. Our team can answer questions regarding your dental insurance and the cost of our services.